Outlaw Revenge (Back Down Devil MC #1)(24)

“Are you sure? I could go lie to him…”

“No. I don’t want to hurt business.” Emily wiped her face. “I can do this. It’s okay.”

“Let me take you home,” Janine offered. “We’ll sneak out the back. I’ll use my lunch break. Okay?”

“Thank you but I don’t need that.”

Emily sucked in a breath. She left the bathroom and went to her desk. When Janine walked by, she nodded. Emily then went back to work, waiting for the client. There was a need of discretion and secrecy to make the business work and to keep clients happy. Quite often, these were married men who wanted something on the side. It also meant leaving a lot of moral and ethic beliefs at the door.

As Emily worked, she heard Janine direct the client to her desk. When she heard the words, “Thank you, love”, Emily froze. She sat straight up and watched as the client walked toward her desk. She blinked a few times, waiting for the image to change. But it didn’t change.

He was here.

“Emily, look at you.”

Emily was so cold she started to shiver.

“Speechless, I’m sure.”

Belle came walking from the back, her long legs strutting to perfection. He looked at her and took Belle’s hand.

“As beautiful as I thought,” he whispered. “Let’s get out of here, love.”

Emily slowly stood, her mouth dry.

He looked at her and smiled. “Don’t worry, this is just for fun. Just to take the edge off. I’ll be back… for you. For what you took.”

He winked and walked out of the office.

Emily grabbed her bag and her cell. She hadn’t blinked yet even though her mind was screaming at her.

He was here… Max found her…

And Emily hadn’t forgotten his last promise to her years ago.

“I’ll find you and I’ll f*cking kill you.”





thirteen.



Gaige got the text while sitting on a pool table next to Nate. They were sharing a joint because Gaige needed to really clear his mind. They had run recon on Eight Under, going toward the junkyard but not getting too close. They were officially in hiding, which was expected for the moment. Being the pussies they were, they’d hide for a day or two, celebrate their little victory in ambushing a fight, but soon they would need their fix for money, *, and drugs. That’s when Back Down Devil would be waiting.

Within minutes Gaige was on his motorcycle speeding toward the building. He couldn't wait to get Emily back in his arms. She was still in a state of shock, even if she wouldn’t admit it. Gaige knew the feeling Emily had rolling through her body. She needed to toughen up though and realize death was at everyone’s door.

Thinking about death made Gaige ride faster. He lived as though death was chasing him and all he could do was use the two wheels and throttle to keep ahead of it.

As he turned up the road to get to the escort service, a black car came flying in his direction. Gaige cut to the side and threw the middle finger at the driver. The car sped right out onto the main street without looking. The tires squealed and then the car was gone. It gave Gaige an uneasy feeling.

Before he could think another thought, he saw Emily standing outside, hugging herself, tears streaming down her cheeks. Gaige looked back, knowing that black car had something to do with it.

He rushed to Emily and wrapped his arms around her. “What happened?”

“I have… there’s…”

Gaige held Emily while she cried. He kissed the top of her head and kept his eyes moving. Just in case.

“It’s okay, beautiful. I’m right here. I’m going to protect you.”

“Take me away from here,” Emily said.

“Okay.”

Gaige gave Emily his helmet and they were off again. Back down the secret road and then back into town and to the clubhouse. Gaige pulled to the side of the road near the clubhouse and killed the engine.

“Beautiful, I need to know where you want to go,” Gaige said.

“To your room,” Emily said. “I can’t go to my apartment.”

“Fuck. Are you in danger?”

Emily’s eyes filled with tears again.

“Fuck,” Gaige said.

He started the bike and pulled into the parking lot of the clubhouse. He felt Emily’s head against his back. He didn’t care; it wouldn’t be the first time tears fell upon his leather.

Gaige stopped the motorcycle and took Emily by the hand. He took her right where she wanted to go. Gaige opened the door to his room and Emily rushed inside. She was hugging herself again.

“You’re afraid,” Gaige said. “What the f*ck happened at work today?”

“Just too much,” Emily said.

Gaige spun Emily around. “Talk to me. Fuck.”

“No. I’m not going to hurt anyone else. It’s bad enough Rachel is dead.”

“That wasn’t your fault.”

“I should have forced her to stay home. Her father came to see me.”

“Wait a second,” Gaige said. “Her father? Bob Strokner?”

“How did you…”

“Oh f*ck,” Gaige whispered. He backed away and ran a hand through his hair. “Police were here today. Questioning us. Gave us a friendly tip that Strokner would be coming to town. That he would investigate…”